Robert Shropshire taught my academy and made me laugh and he made me think about racism, reverse racism, what blocks each of us from being our potential is just a story, which we can change, simple as that. (Then he got angry about getting married and he did a collegium which just blew everyone away.)

He was also a facilitator for the Gibson Human Development Project Consult in Gibson, North Carolina. I remember when he said he had never seen a Southern town like Gibson before. He kept singing this song about the company store under his breath. Those of us who were there knew what he meant. And then he turned around and said that as a Black African American man his role was about healing - accountability, absolution and healing. Then he went and did the Contradiction workshop. It was painful.

He held everyone accountable, white, black, American Indians, everyone.Then he said it was time for forgiveness. The room was silent. Everyone looked at the white Mayor, who ran the company store. Then it was like a revival. Amen, Amen, Amens were said all around, started first by the Black reverends, and the black school principal, then everyone.... (Or at least that is how I remember it.)

Later, he said, may be he would go to hell for this, but that is what he needed to do. Amen to men of courage like Robert Shropshire. Sing the Gibson Town Song under your breath and then Amazing Grace.

His mother is named Evelyn and his daughter is named Evelyn...I never met anyone besides Bob who knew another Evelyn. I am so sorry to hear of his death. I somehow feel he is some where laughing with the Mystery expecting great things from us all to carry out God's unfinished work.

My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends and colleagues who lived, and worked with Robert Shropshire, a very courageous man indeed.

Evelyn Kurihara Philbrook.

On 5/31/2012 10:59 AM, jsloan45@gmail.com wrote:

I am saddened to hear of Robert's death. I often wondered what ever happened with him. He, Carlos and I enjoyed many long and wrenching conversations in appropriating being black in American and in the Order. I have fond memories of teaching the Urban Academy with him. He was a true treasure, and I pray that his soul is at peace.

Joyce Sloan

On , E B <marosel2000@yahoo.com> wrote:
> It is a sad day to hear of Robert's death. He was dean of my first and second Academy.
> May God have mercy and welcome him into His Kingdom.
> Our deepest condolences to his bereaved family.
> Elsa Batica
> Minneapolis, MN
>
>
> From: George Holcombe geowanda1@me.com>
> To: Order Ecumenical Community OE@wedgeblade.net>; ICA LIST SERVE dialogue@wedgeblade.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2012 7:15 PM
> Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Death of Robert Shropshire
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> Conna Wilkerson told me that Robert died Tuesday night at his mother's home in Chicago. A service will be held for him on Saturday.
>
> Wanda and I will never forget Robert. When he arrived at Mowanjum, he was the star of the show, everyone thought he was the greatest. Years later Robert and I had a great time playing music at the summer programs. I'm sure others of us have memories of Robert, too.
>
>
> George Holcombe
> 14900 Yellowleaf Tr.
> Austin, TX 78728
> Mobile 512/252-2756
> geowanda1@me.com
>
>
> Hope appeareth, but it is not your Hope—you do not have anything to do with it. It just appeareth. It comes as a stranger, as an alien—it just appeareth! You do not even know why you hope. How in the world could you hope when there is absolutely nothing to justify any hope? ~Joseph W. Mathews
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